Chapter 39
Chapter thirty-nine
Ashwiyaa
“Coming to my rescue?” “Of course. It’s what we do. I rescue you; you rescue me. We just take turns whenever the other needs it.” -Richelle Mead
Together, we push through the veil, leaving the suffocating Outlands behind. Instantly, the air feels lighter, and the atmosphere becomes less oppressive. Relief washes over me as I realize the unseen creatures lurking in the shadows chose to remain hidden as we journeyed back to the veil.
In this moment, I silently vow to never set foot in that dreadful place again, haunted by memories of encountering an ancient vampire and an old hag.
I stop and tilt my face up to the warm sun, feeling its gentle heat wash over me.
A soft, fresh breeze caresses my skin, tangling my hair in its playful grip.
The oppressive weight of the Outlands lifts, replaced by a serene, almost dreamlike calm.
When I open my eyes, my gaze lands on a tree at the edge of a glade.
Nero is sitting at the base of a giant elm, his head tipped back as if he’s asleep, sunlight filtering through the branches to paint golden streaks across his dark features. Relief and joy flood through me so swiftly I nearly collapse under their weight.
“Nero,” I whisper, my voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and elation.
His eyes flash open instantly, like twin embers igniting in the shadows, and before I can blink, he’s on his feet.
My heart surges as I let my body fade in my excitement, dissolving into the air and moving faster than the wind itself.
When I materialize in front of him, his arms are already open, reaching to enfold me in a crushing embrace.
The warmth of him, solid and real, melts away every ounce of tension and worry I’ve been carrying.
“I’m so happy to see you alive,” he says, a soft chuckle rumbling from deep within.
“You doubted me?” I say, my voice muffled against his chest.
He pulls back slightly, holding me at arm’s length, his golden eyes scanning me with an intensity that steals my breath.
It’s as if he’s memorizing every detail, every scar and shadow, ensuring that I’m truly here and unharmed.
His eyes, though calm, hold a betraying mixture of relief and concern that he can’t quite hide.
“You look like you’ve been through hell,” he says, his tone light despite the concern in his eyes.
“Feels like it too,” I reply, giving him a soft smile. “But we made it out.”
Seraphina glances around the glade, her eyes wide with wonder. “This place is beautiful.”
I smile at her. “It is.”
Nero’s gaze shifts to Kai and Seraphina, taking in the sight of our weary group.
“Kai,” he says, pulling him in for a hug. “Thank you for bringing her back.”
“I’d go to the ends of the worlds for her,” Kai replies.
My chest warms at his words, and I’m unable to tear my eyes away.
Every detail about him draws me deeper, the way his muscles ripple just beneath the surface of his skin as he absently rubs his chest, the subtle shadow of dark-blond stubble that graces his strong jawline.
His lips curve slightly, a hint of a smile that makes my heart skip a beat, and then there are his ocean-blue eyes that seem to sparkle with a light all their own.
In this moment, it’s impossible not to be struck by how incredibly handsome he is, a raw beauty that exudes strength and power in equal measure. But more than that, it’s the knowledge that this incredible man, with all his intensity and rugged charm, belongs to me.
“And who is this lovely creature?” Nero asks, folding his arms over his chest as he stares at Seraphina.
“Sera met Nero, a close friend of mine. Nero, this is Seraphina.”
Seraphina blushes slightly and smiles. “Hello.”
“Nice to meet you, Seraphina,” Nero says as he stretches, his joints popping. “Let’s get you back to Nesrin’s. It’s the quickest way out of Faerie with those ley lines and all.”
“Please, get us out of here, Nero,” I reply. “I never want to come back here again.”
Nero raises an eyebrow, his tattoos moving across his arms and neck. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard please fall from those lips before,” he teases.
Seraphina’s eyes widen as she stares at him, then slowly she drags her gaze to me. “I’d like to go to your world. Meet the others that are like me.”
“Okay. Then let’s get you out of here,” Nero answers with a grin.
Nero’s tattoos shimmer and converge, their dark hues intensifying.
Uttering a few quiet words and making a sweeping gesture, he conjures a doorway that appears out of thin air in the middle of the glade.
It has the appearance of a mirror, but the reflection is strangely distorted, like an image in a funhouse.
“After you,” Nero says, looking over his shoulder at us.
Stepping through the doorway, an inexplicable sensation of weightlessness overtakes me, like the ground has vanished beneath my feet. The world around me distorts, a blur of color and light swirling in a dizzying vortex as I plummet downwards. Suddenly, I’m engulfed in a shock of cold.
Before I can fully process what’s happened, two more splashes resonate around me, their ripples stirring the water. Instinct takes over, and I kick my legs, pushing upward.
Breaking through the surface, I gasp for air, pushing my hair away from my face. The first thing I hear is Nero’s laughter drifting through the invisible doorway above us. “Sorry, I forgot to say watch your step.”
A playful growl escapes from me.
I swim to the embankment, the water gliding along my skin as the others follow closely behind. The air is cool against my face as I emerge from the water. The dress I wear clings to my body, heavy and soaked, but I couldn’t care less.
I’m home.
Seraphina comes to a stop beside me, her dress drenched and clinging to her frame as she starts to wring out the excess water.
I glance over at her for a moment before turning my attention back to the river, inhaling deeply and savoring the tranquility of our surroundings.
The gentle sound of the water as it laps rhythmically against the shore is like a soothing lullaby, gentling my racing thoughts into a calm stillness.
Above us, the sky is a breathtaking canvas of pinks and oranges, the colors blending together in a soft gradient as the sun prepares to dip below the horizon.
It’s a scene so serene, so untouched by the chaos of our journey, that it feels almost otherworldly—like we’ve stumbled upon a hidden sanctuary at the edge of the world.
I close my eyes, allowing the peace of this place to seep into my very bones.
The tension coiled tight within me for so long begins to unwind, and for the first time in what feels like an eternity, I allow myself to truly relax.
It’s a strange sensation—this quiet, this calm—but it’s a welcome one.
And in this rare moment of stillness, I can finally breathe easy, knowing that, at least for now, we are safe.
Kai’s strong arms wrap around me from behind, his warmth seeping into me as he pulls me close. I can feel the steady rise and fall of his chest against my back. His hold is firm but gentle, a protective embrace that speaks volumes without the need for words.
My eyes drift back to the river just in time to see Nero emerging from the water, his movements slow and deliberate as he shakes off the droplets clinging to him.
His dark hair is slicked back, water streaming down his face, but there’s an unmistakable gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.
I can’t help but grin, a chuckle escaping me as I shake my head at the sight.
“Do you always return to the human world through that doorway?” I ask, half-amused, half-curious.
“Yes,” Nero replies, his voice calm and matter-of-fact as he steps onto the shore. “I like the water.”
The simplicity of his answer catches me off guard, and I burst out laughing, the sound bubbling up from deep within me. It’s such a typical Nero response—straightforward, unapologetic, and somehow so fitting for the enigmatic man before me.
I lean back into Kai’s embrace, still chuckling softly as the last remnants of tension drain away.
“Creatures approach,” one of the ancient voices whispers harshly.
I pull away from Kai and spin, my daggers gripped tightly as I scan our surroundings.
Nero places his hand on my shoulder. His fingers curl slightly, offering a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
“It’s okay, Ashwiyaa,” he says softly, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. “It’s the alpha, Lukas Black, and his luna. We’re on their pack lands.”
As if on cue, voices whisper in the recesses of my mind, barely more than a murmur, but distinct enough to send a shiver down my spine.
“The luna is strong,” says one voice, a note of reverence woven into its tone.
“Her magic is so bright and warm,” another adds, awe dripping from every word.
“That’s because she is the Daughter of Light,” I huff in response, annoyed by the incessant commentary from the spirits within me.
My attention shifts as two figures crest the hill before us, their silhouettes framed against the fading light of the evening sky.
As they approach, their features come into focus.
Nesrin, the luna, wears a massive grin that stretches across her face, her amber eyes sparkling with a warmth that seems to radiate from her very soul.
Beside her, Lukas Black cuts a striking figure, his expression intense, almost broody.
His sharp green eyes take in everything with a calculating gaze, and there’s a weight to his presence that demands respect.
He exudes the kind of quiet authority that makes it clear he’s not someone to be trifled with.
I can’t help but draw a mental comparison to Logan—the brooding demeanor, the underlying strength, the way they both carry the weight of their responsibilities with fierce determination.
“Nero,” Nesrin says warmly. “You brought them back. We were so worried about you two.” Her amber eyes move from me to Kai.
“I had no doubts Kai would find her,” Nero replies.
Nero walks past us and scoops Nesrin up in a hug. Lukas’s low growl rumbles through the air. Nero chuckles and steps back, and that’s when I notice Nesrin’s stomach.
“Oh, shit. You’re pregnant,” I blurt, and emotions I’m not used to feeling overcome me as I stare at her. My body fades and in seconds I’m in front of Nesrin, my hands lifting, but I pause, looking up at her. “May I?”
Nesrin smiles softly. “Sure.”
My hands tremble slightly as I tentatively make contact, feeling the roundness of her stomach beneath my touch. My heart races as I sense two little heartbeats echoing alongside hers.
“You’re having twins,” I whisper softly.
Lukas freezes for a second before taking a step forward, his eyes flickering with the telltale specks of yellow that appear when his emotions are heightened. “Twins?” His voice is rough, almost disbelieving, as if the words don’t quite make sense.
I blink, suddenly realizing my slip. “Oh.” I drop my hands and instinctively take a step back. “I didn’t realize you didn’t know.”
Nesrin lets out a soft chuckle, a grin of mischief spreading across her face. She reaches up and gives Lukas a playful slap on the shoulder. “We haven’t exactly been to see a human doctor yet, so it’s all been guessing and intuition,” she teases lightly, her tone filled with affection.
“Twins?” Lukas repeats, still looking as though he’s trying to wrap his mind around the news.
“Yes,” I say, offering a reassuring smile. “Both are healthy and very active.”
Lukas turns to Nesrin, and in that moment, they share a look so full of love and unspoken connection that it takes my breath away.
The depth of their bond is palpable, radiating from them in waves.
You can tell how deeply in love they are, how the news only seems to strengthen the unbreakable tie between them.
“On that note, I’m heading back to Faerie!” Nero declares with a wink. His gaze shifts to Kai. “Take care of her.” The words carry more weight than the simple request they seem to be.
“Always,” Kai responds without hesitation, his voice steady and full of conviction. The way he says it leaves no room for doubt—he would protect me with every fiber of his being.
Nero’s attention then turns to Seraphina, who stands a little apart from the rest of us, her expression calm but guarded. “And you, enjoy this new life,” he tells her, his tone gentler now, as if recognizing the significance of the path she’s chosen.
Seraphina meets his gaze and gives a slight nod, acknowledging his words but remaining silent.
With that, Nero steps back, and in a sudden, fluid motion, his form shifts.
The air around him swirls in a dark vortex, and in the next moment, he’s transformed into his true form—a magnificent black Puca, his sleek, muscular body gleaming under the dimming light.
Without a backward glance, he gallops toward the river, his hooves barely making a sound as he moves.
Then, as if the water itself parts for him, he plunges into the river and vanishes beneath its surface, leaving only ripples in his wake.
I turn to Seraphina with a small smile and walk over to her. Gently, I hook my arm through hers, drawing her closer to Lukas and Nesrin.
“Lukas, Nesrin, this is—”
“The female dragon you were sent to find.”
I’m momentarily caught off guard by her knowledge and can only nod slowly in response.
“Yes. How do you know?”
Kai rubs the back of his neck, flashing a weary grin. “Yeah, when Penn and I came here looking for Nero, the Kitsune happened to read Penn’s mind and, well, let us know about the female dragon shifter.”
I blink, the realization sinking in. “Oh,” I reply lamely. “So, everyone knew why I was in Faerie . . . except for me.”
“Seems like it,” Lukas murmurs, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. “But you’re safe now. And you’re welcome to stay as long as you need.” His eyes flicker to Seraphina, and though he stands tall and confident, there’s a subtle respect in his tone.
Seraphina doesn’t falter as she meets Lukas’s gaze, her posture proud—regal, even—as she inclines her head slightly. “Thank you for allowing us safe passage on your land. My name is Seraphina,” she says, her voice calm but laced with the weight of someone who commands power effortlessly.
Nesrin steps forward, a curious smile tugging at her lips. “We’re just happy you made it here safely. We have a spare house for you two, and a room in ours for you, Seraphina, if that suits you. Dinner will be in the communal area tonight. You’re more than welcome to join us.”